Thursday, August 14, 2014

I've been reading this book, and I haven't decided yet if it's stepping on my toes or comforting me! I'm loving it so far and have already recommended it to several people. If you feel like you're struggling to live a perfect life, this is the book for you!

From the back cover:
Are you crumbling under the burden of perfection?
You know the expectations are unreasonable–even unreachable.
And when everyone else seems more together than you, where do you turn for help?
Meet Kathi, a disguised perfectionist always looking to put everyone else’s needs above her own, and Cheri, a formerly confused and exhausted poster girl for playing it safe. They’ve struggled just like you–and found the cure. With unabashed empathy and humor, they invite you to take part in their rebellion against perfection. Step-by-step they’ll teach you how to challenge and change unhealthy beliefs. As they free you from always seeking more or needing the approval of others, you’ll discover a new, braver way of living. At last, you’ll exchange outdated views of who you should be for a clearer vision of who you are in Christ.
The truth is you don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to be brave enough to read this book.

From the Introduction:
Even though we have different life stories, we’ve both succumbed to Try-Harder Living. We used to look for the nice, polite ways to follow God’s call. We caved to others’ expectations for too long. We finally decided stop taking our cues from the world and start asking ourselves, “What does God want from me … and have for me?”
And we’ve come to the conclusion: there is no nice, polite way to do this. There’s no easy way to leave the life that’s been expected of us and to start living the brave, not so neatly tied up life that God is calling us to.
We have to rebel. We have to make choices that are countercultural to our society, our families of origin, and even our churches.
We’re guessing that as you’ve read our stories you’ve said, “Me too!” at one point or another (or perhaps, several points.) Most women we know are fighting THL to some degree.
We get it. We’ve been there. We have the souvenir travel mugs. And because life isn’t perfect, those mugs have leaked all over our shirts. (It’s the official uniform for the recovering perfectionist—a nice white shirt with a huge stain down the front.)
Come join our rebellion. We have cupcakes. The frosting is a little mushed, but hey, they still taste great. And they aren’t homemade. But we’re okay with that.
As we share our own rebel stories and strategies, we hope you will
exchange outdated views of who you “should be” for a clear do-able vision of who you are in Christ.
take control of that too long to-do list so it no longer controls you.
stop striving to maintain an image and live with more freedom day-to-day.
overcome the tyranny of “more” and radically live with the abundance of “enough.”
stop trying to earn others’ approval and learn to rest in God’s lavish unconditional love.

About the Authors:

Kathi Lipp
Website: http://www.KathiLipp.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathiLipp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/kathilipp
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/kathilipp/
Kathi Lipp is the author of The Husband Project, The Me Project, The Get Yourself Organized Project, 21 Ways to Connect With Your Kids, and several other books. Kathi’s articles have appeared in dozens of magazines, and she is a frequent guest on Focus on the Family radio and TV. She and her husband Roger are parents of four young adults in San Jose, California. Kathi shares her story at retreats, conferences, and women’s events across the United States. Connect with her at www.KathiLipp.com, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/AuthorKathiLipp, or on Twitter @KathiLipp.

Cheri Gregory

Website: http://www.CheriGregory.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CheriGregoryAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CheriGregory
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/CheriGregory
Cheri Gregory is a Certified Personality Trainer; contributor to multiple books, including Wired That Way and 21 Ways to Connect With Your Kids; and frequent speaker for MOPS groups, women’s retreats, parent workshops, and educational conferences. She is also a high school English teacher and graduate student. Cheri has been “wife of my youth” to Daniel (her opposite personality), a pastor, for over a quarter-of-a-century; they have two college-aged kids (who are also opposite personalities). She blogs about expectations, “baditude”, and hope at www.CheriGregory.com. Connect with her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Cheri.Gregory.Author and Twitter @CheriGregory.